Transportation in penang is pretty good.. quite easy to catch a bus or cab to major tourist attractions. However, be wary of "sapu" (illegal) taxis. Try not to take a cab at night (esp. when you're alone!!!)... on second thoughts, DON'T take a taxi if you're travelling alone just to be on the safe side! haha. and make sure you agree a price with the taxi driver before hopping into the cab. Most taxis in Penang don't use the meter

If you want to go shopping, honestly, only Gurney Plaza is worth going (even then, i think Sg has more choices than here bad.gif ) if you would like to check out MNG, try Island Plaza, a lil further up from Gurney Plaza.

For cheap and good food, skip Gurney Drive, head on to Swattow Lane instead... where the famous Ais Kacang is... don't forget to try out the mee goreng there too, its heavenly! The stalls at Swattow Lane are open in the afternoon only, unlike Gurney Drive which opens in the evening. Gurney Drive is seriously overrated and expensive.

For dinner, you might want to try out the hawker stalls at New Lane (near Komtar).

Swattow Lane is a short distance away from Komtar. Swattow lane is quite "secluded" in a sense.. its away from the main road. but all penangites should know this hawker food haven!

stayed at Shangrilla - Georgetown 4 yrs ago.
hotel is ok.the location is in the town which adjacent to shopping complex called KOMTAR.

near the bus terminal too.we tried travel to batu ferringhi beach resort by bus.quite convenience & safe,,cheaper than taxi.

for eateries..try Gurney Drive.there a lot of food.
cha kwey tiao,ice kacang,rojak,popiah,all nice!!

As for hotels, it depends whether you want to stay in the city or by the beach. Nice and affordable city hotels are Cititel (should be less than RM150), Grand Continental Hotel (about RM120), Continental Hotel (RM100) or Hotel Malaysia (room is a bit smaller than the rest, but its quite tastefully furnished. RM100).

The beach hotels at Batu Ferringhi will cost you at least RM220 and above... A nice compromise would be hotels along Gurney Drive - Evergreen (about RM200), Northam All Suite Hotel (if you have $$ to spare, i really recommend this! Prices start from RM198), Gurney Hotel (not sure of the price).